Swimming devices could deliver drugs inside the body
Engineers at the University of Sheffield have discovered that tiny spherical bead-like devices can be guided by physical structures while swimming inside fluids[F1]. This opens up a wealth of future possibilities, such as using structures in the body to guide drug delivery, or cracks in rocks to direct environmental clean-up and exploration.[F2]--These devices, which are a similar size to cells and bacteria -- around a hundredth of the average diameter of a strand of human hair [F3]-- could be used to deliver drugs to a specific location inside the body or outside of the body to diagnose diseases in blood samples. Examples include finding proteins indicating cardiac problems or looking for circulating tumour cells that can indicate the spread of cancer.[F4]--When working with devices on a micron scale[F5], it's very challenging to produce motion from moving parts due to the properties of the fluid -- it's similar to humans trying to run through treacle. Previous research has focused on using external magnetic fields to guide the devices, but this requires constant observation so that the device can be guided manually.--The research conducted at Sheffield uses a new method, giving the devices a catalytic coating on one side, which creates a chemical reaction when fuel molecules are added, causing the device to move automatically on a pre-determined route, using natural structures as a guide.--Dr Stephen Ebbens, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Sheffield, said: "When you're dealing with objects on such a small scale, we found that although our method of moving the devices using a coating and chemical reaction worked very effectively, it was difficult to control its direction, due to other molecules in the fluid jostling it.--"We've been working on ways to overcome this and control the movement of the devices along a path using physical structures to direct them. "We are now working on applications for using these devices in the body,[F6] in the shorter term focusing on using them for medical diagnosis"--In addition to medical applications, these devices could be used in other fields, such as to locate indicators of contamination in environmental samples or to deliver neutralising chemicals to areas affected by oil spills, by using crevices in rocks as the structural guide.--Story Source-The above post is reprinted from materials provided by University of Sheffield - Faculty of Engineering. Journal Reference-Sambeeta Das, Astha Garg, Andrew I. Campbell, Jonathan Howse, Ayusman Sen, Darrell Velegol, Ramin Golestanian, Stephen J. Ebbens. Boundaries can steer active Janus spheres. Nature Communications, 2015; 6: 8999 DOI: 10.1038/NCOMMS9999 -University of Sheffield - Faculty of Engineering. "Swimming devices could deliver drugs inside the body: New method of guiding microscopic swimming devices has the potential to deliver drugs to a targeted location inside the body, according to new research." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 2 December 2015. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/12/151202084346.htm>.
************************************************************************
One in 10 globally suffer from foodborne diseases, WHO study finds
One out of every 10 people worldwide suffer from foodborne diseases annually, and children and the poor suffer most, according to the findings of a World Health Organization task force headed by a University of Florida senior researcher.--The announcement, made Wednesday, comes after more than eight years of research and data analysis by a WHO task force composed to measure the effect of foodborne diseases on populations around the globe.--"The groups most adversely affected by the foodborne diseases are children and people in low-income regions of the world," said task-force leader Dr. Arie Havelaar with UF's Emerging Pathogens Institute. "Of those who lost years to ill-health, disability or early death, 40 percent were children under 5 years old, even though they constitute only 9 percent of the world population[F7]. Foodborne illnesses affect people on the African continent the most, followed by sub-regions of Southeast Asia and the eastern Mediterranean.--The group will publish its research outcomes this week in a PLOS Collection (http://collections.plos.org/ferg2015). Papers on enteric diseases, parasitic pathogens, chemical and toxic hazards, and methodology will make up parts of the collection. The results are also presented in a WHO technical report.-"Estimating the burden of foodborne diseases is highly complex due to the many diseases involved," Havelaar said. "The full extent of chemical and biological contamination of food, and its burden to society, is still unknown."The WHO created the Foodborne Disease Burden Epidemiology Reference Group in 2007 to study global variation in the impact of foodborne disease. After considering the known disease-causing agents that can be transmitted by food, the group identified 31 hazards as the most necessary to include.--The group found that these 31 foodborne hazards caused 600 million foodborne illnesses and 420,000 deaths in 2010[F8]. Results from the study indicate that up to 33 million healthy life years are lost each year due to foodborne diseases each year [F9]-- a number on par with the "big three" infectious diseases -- HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis -- and air pollution, but clearly lower than the burden of dietary risk factors or unimproved water and sanitation.--Diarrheal disease agents were the most frequent causes of foodborne illness -- particularly norovirus and Campylobacter spp. Non-typhoidal Salmonella enterica, also a diarrheal disease agent, is capable of causing blood poisoning in people with weakened immune systems and was a major cause of death among the pathogens chosen for the study.--Other major pathogens causing foodborne disease deaths included Salmonella Typhi, a subspecies of Salmonella enterica; Taenia solium, a tapeworm that comes from pork products; and the hepatitis A virus.--Dr. Brecht Devleesschauwer, an assistant scientist at UF's department of animal sciences, worked with Havelaar to analyze data from the study.--"We compiled information from a variety of data sources, including national surveillance systems and scientific literature, and used expert opinion and statistical modeling to fill data gaps," Devleesschauwer explained. "In addition to disease incidence and deaths, we also quantified the disease burden in terms of Disability-Adjusted Life Years -- the number of healthy years of life lost due to illness and death -- to facilitate ranking between causes of disease and across regions."--Dr. Kazuaki Miyagishima, the director of the Department of Food Safety and Zoonoses at the WHO, gave his support to the group's analyses in a WHO statement.--"This report," he said, "should enable governments and other stakeholders to draw public attention to this often under-estimated problem and mobilize political will and resources to combat foodborne diseases."--In addition to his work with the Emerging Pathogens Institute, Havelaar is a core member of the Institute for Sustainable Food Systems at UF and a professor in the department of animal sciences.Story Source-The above post is reprinted from materials provided by University of Florida. The original item was written by Evan Barton. -University of Florida. "One in 10 globally suffer from foodborne diseases, WHO study finds." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 3 December 2015. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/12/151203150249.htm>.
*****************************************************************************
'Nanobombs' might deliver agents that alter gene activity in cancer stem cells
Researchers at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center -- Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC -- James) have developed nanoparticles that swe[F10]ll and burst when exposed to near-infrared laser light.--Such 'nanobombs' might overcome a biological barrier that has blocked development of agents that work by altering the activity -- the expression -- of genes in cancer cells. The agents might kill cancer cells outright or stall their growth.--The kinds of agents that change gene expression are generally forms of RNA (ribonucleic acid), and they are notoriously difficult to use as drugs. First, they are readily degraded when free in the bloodstream. In this study, packaging them in nanoparticles that target tumor cells solved that problem.--This study, published in the journal Advanced Materials, suggests that the nanobombs might also solve the second problem. When cancer cells take up ordinary nanoparticles, they often enclose them in small compartments called endosomes. This prevents the drug molecules from reaching their target, and they are soon degraded.--[F11]Along with the therapeutic agent, these nanoparticles contain a chemical that vaporizes, causing them to swell three times or more in size when exposed to near-infrared laser light. The endosomes burst, dispersing the RNA agent into the cell.--"A major challenge to using nanoparticles to deliver gene-regulating agents such as microRNAs is the inability of the nanoparticles to escape the compartments, the endosomes, that they are encased in when cells take up the particles," says principal investigator Xiaoming (Shawn) He, PhD, associate professor of Biomedical Engineering and member of the OSUCCC -- James Translational Therapeutics Program.--"We believe we've overcome this challenge by developing nanoparticles that include ammonium bicarbonate, a small molecule that vaporizes when exposing the nanoparticles to near-infrared laser light, causing the nanoparticle and endosome to burst, releasing the therapeutic RNA," He explains. For their study, He and colleagues used human prostate-cancer cells and human prostate tumors in an animal model. The nanoparticles were equipped to target cancer stem-like cells (CSCs), which are cancer cells that have properties of stem cells. CSCs often resist therapy and are thought to play an important role in cancer development and recurrence.--[F12]The therapeutic agent in the nanoparticles was a form of microRNA called miR-34a. The researchers chose this molecule because it can lower the levels of a protein that is crucial for CSC survival and may be involved in chemotherapy and radiation therapy resistance.--The nanoparticles also encapsulate ammonium bicarbonate, which is a leavening agent sometimes used in baking. Near-infrared laser light, which induces vaporization of the ammonium bicarbonate, can penetrate tissue to a depth of one centimeter (nearly half an inch)[F13]. For deeper tumors, the light would be delivered using minimally invasive surgery.--Story Source-The above post is reprinted from materials provided by Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Journal Reference-Hai Wang, Pranay Agarwal, Shuting Zhao, Jianhua Yu, Xiongbin Lu, Xiaoming He. A Near-Infrared Laser-Activated “Nanobomb” for Breaking the Barriers to MicroRNA Delivery. Advanced Materials, 2015; DOI: 10.1002/adma.201504263
*****************************************************************************
NANO BIOAGENT being militarized in Middle East to attack Civilian Population
WAR-ravaged Syria has anew enemy – a deadly flesh-eating bug caused by ISIS dumping bodies in the street.-The bug, known as Leishmaniasis, is caused by protozoan parasites.-It is usually carried by flies [F14]but experts warn that increase in rotting flesh in the street has triggered a dramatic rise.--Records suggest that 16months ago around 500 people were affected by the disease, but that is now believed to have soared.-Dil qash Isa, head of the Kurdish Red Crescent humanitarian organisation , said: ‘As a result of abominable acts by ISIS that included the killing of innocent people and dumping their corpses in streets, this is the leading factor behind the rapid spread of Leishmanisis disease.’--The World HealthOrganization has warned that Syria’s health system has collapsed under five years of war[F15], the Metro reports.--‘We did not have knowledge about this deadly disease before,’ a Syrian Kurdish fighter told news agencies. ‘We have been fighting on the battlefield for almost four years and this disease basically generated from embattled areas of Tal Hamis, Hon and Qosa,’-[F16]Britain launched air strikes against Islamic State in Syria on Thursday morning after David Cameron won backing from MPs.-British Tornado jets took off from the Royal Air Force base at Akrotiri in Cyprus before dawn, within hours of the result being announced.[F17]--The British contribution forms only a tiny part of US-led Operation Inherent Resolve, which has been bombing Islamic State in Iraq and Syria for more than a year.The vote for British forces to extend their air strikes in Iraq into Syria was won by a majority of 174.
********************************************************************
Oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells-Repairing the Myelin Sheath
The major function of oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells is the formation of myelin. Myelin acts as an insulator of axonal segments and is a prerequisite for the high velocity of nerve conduction, of up to 200 m/second. The association of glial cells with axons is also found in invertebrates. Axon engulfing cells similar to the Remak cells of the vertebrates are found in most invertebrates. The formation of myelin by oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells are phylogenetically an invention of the vertebrates some 400 million years ago. All vertebrates except the jawless fish (hagfish and lampreys) have oligodendrocytes. The advent of myelin in evolution boosted the development of vertebrates and in particular their nervous system. Even most neuroscientists do not appreciate the importance of oligodendrocytes for the evolution of vertebrates. While it seems to be general knowledge that with the evolutionary development of the brain the number of neurons increases to up to 100 billion in human, it is not so evident that only due to myelin all these neurones can be interconnected in a complex fashion. This can be easily illustrated by the following example. To increase the speed of nerve conduction one strategy is to form myelin, the other to increase the diameter of the axon. The giant axons in squid have a diameter of up to 1 mm and reach conduction velocities comparable to that of myelinated motor axons. The human optic nerve has about 1 million myelinated axons which conduct with a high speed. A squid giant axon version with 1 million axons of 1 mm in diameter would amount to an axon diameter of 0.75 m. Taken into consideration that the human brain consists of up to 50% white matter it is evident that the high connectivity of the human brain would be impossible without the formation of myelin.[F18]
Morphology of oligodendrocytes
All white matter tracts contain oligodendrocytes to form myelin. Oligodendrocytes are, however, also found in gray matter. While oligodendrocytes are very well known as the myelin forming cells of the central nervous system there are also oligodendrocytes that are not directly connected to the myelin sheath. These satellite oligodendrocytes are preferentially found in gray matter and have so far unknown functions possibly serving to regulate ionic homeostasis similarly to astrocytes. Only the retina of rat, mouse and human is devoid of myelinating oligodendrocytes, the rabbit and chick retina are both partially myelinated. The myelin forming oligodendrocytes have several processes (up to 40) which connect to one myelin segment. Each of these segments is several hundred micrometers long and is also termed the internode. Segments are interrupted by structures known as node of Ranvier which spans for less than 1 micron. At the node, as compared to the internodal region, the axon is not enwrapped by myelin. The end of intermodal segment contains more cytoplasm[F19] and forms so called paranodal loop creating septate—like junctions with the axon. In addition, astrocyte processes contact the axonal membrane at the nodal region.--Like astrocytes oligodendrocytes are also interconnected by gap junctions formed by connexins. There are distinct connexin proteins for oligodendrocytes as compared to astrocytes. Mutations in the connexin proteins lead to hypomyelination and to human pathologies such as leucodystrophies.
Development of oligodendrocytes
Myelin formation starts in rodents at about birth and is completed around 2 months after birth. In humans it starts during the second half of fetal life and begins in the spinal cord. Its peak activity is in the first year postnatally while it continues up to 20 years of age. It is generally noted that larger axons form thicker myelin. During development oligodendrocytes arise from precursors located in the subventricular zone such as the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricles for the cerebrum or the fourth ventricle for the cerebellum. In the spinal cord, oligodendrocytes originate from the ventral regions of the neural tube and in the optic nerve they migrate into the nerve from the third ventricle. It is the oligodendrocyte precursor cells which migrate to their destination where they then differentiate into the more mature oligodendrocytes. The proliferation of the oligodendrocyte progenitor cells is controlled by a number of growth factors released predominantly from neurons but also from astrocytes such as platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) or fibroblast growth factor (FGF). [F20]Moreover, an intrinsic clock seems to not only count cell division, but also senses time. Thus intrinsic mechanisms and the environment control the proper amount of oligodendrocytes required for myelination. Oligodendrocytes produced in excess (which occurs under normal conditions) are eliminated by apoptosis.--Oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, which can still give rise to astrocytes and oligodendrocytes are not only found during development but also exist in the mature brain being termed adult oligodendrocyte precursor cells. They are considered as a source for remyelination in demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis. There are a number of distinct markers which help to identify these precursor cells such as the transcription factor Olig-2 or the proteoglycane NG2. These NG2 positive cells have recently attracted considerable attention. While they have the capacity to develop into astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, the main route seems to be confined to the oligodendrocyte lineage. These adult precursor cells seem to interact with axons. They express glutamate receptors and sense the activity of the axon, which releases glutamate in an activity dependent fashion. This seems to be a potential mechanism for how axons might control the differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells.
Schwann cells
Schwann cells are the cellular counterparts to oligodendrocytes in the peripheral nervous system. Similarly to oligodendrocytes they form the myelin sheath. In contrast to the oligodendrocyte each Schwann cell is associated with only one axonal segment. While the myelin structure formed by oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells has a similar ultrastructure, it is not composed of an identical set of proteins. While central and peripheral myelin share the basic protein myelin, the peripheral nervous system lacks myelin associated glycoprotein or proteolipid protein[F21], but expresses the protein P0 and PMP22. During development, Schwann cells are derived from undifferentiated migrating neural crest cells. The immature Schwann cells produce either myelinating or non-myelinating Schwann cells. The latter loosely enwraps several axons without forming myelin.--Neuronal cell bodies in sensory sympathetic and parasympathetic ganglia are surrounded by flattened sheath like cells known as satellite cells. The axon terminals at a neuromuscular junction are also covered by specialized glial cells, namely the terminal glia.
The myelin sheaths
The myelin sheath is formed by an enwrappment of the axon by oligodendrocyte or Schwann cell processes. The intracellular compartment is very much compressed spanning only 30 Angström and appears in the electron microscope as a single line, called the major dense line. The outer surface of the lipid bilayer appears as a distinct line separated by the extracellular space. Therefore, this is defined as the double intraperiod line. Due to this immense compaction, myelin is purely hydrated and its dry mass contains about 70% lipids and 30% proteins.[F22] There are a number of highly specific proteins which are only found in myelin and are necessary for the formation of this structure. The major proteins of the central nervous system myelin are myelin associated glycoprotein[F23] (MAG), myelin basic protein (MBP), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), proteolipidprotein (PLP)/DM20 and PMP22. These proteins are exclusively produced by myelin-forming cells, namely oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system or by Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system and thus serve as excellent markers for myelinating cells. Within the myelin layers, are kind of pathway which contain a cytoplasmic spacing named the Schmidt-Lantermann incisures. These provide trophic support for myelin.
Not all vertebrate axons are myelinated, but in general, axons larger than 1 micron are myelinated. Recent studies show that the axons provide a signal to the oligodendrocyte which determine the thickness of the myelin sheath. One important signaling mechanism provided by the axon is via the growth factor neuregulin-1 which binds to ErbB receptor tyrosine kinases expressed by oligodendrocytes. A similar signaling mechanism also exists in Schwann cells. This interaction leads to a defined ratio between axonal diameter and axonal diameter plus myelin sheath, the so-called g-ratio which is usually between 0.6 to 0.7 .---It has long been speculated that myelinating cells do provide metabolic support to the axons. It can be speculated that glia derived glycolytic products such as pyruvate or lactate are released and taken up by the axon. This may be even more important for the peripheral nervous system since metabolites from the soma would have to be transported for distances of more than a meter in large animals.
Myelin enables saltatory nerve conduction
The node of Ranvier contains a high density of sodium channels, which allows what is known as saltatory conduction (from the latin word ´saltare´ which means ‘to jump’), namely the generation of action potentials only at the node. Thus the action potential is only triggered at the node, then spreads passively, and thus rapidly to the next node where the next action potential is generated. So the action potential jumps from node to node. This is not only faster, but consumes much less energy, since sodium ions accumulate only at the node and there need only to be transported back to the extracellular space due to the activity of the Na+/K+-ATPase[F24]. Before myelin formation the sodium channels are randomly distributed along the length of the axon. However, at the time of the glial ensheathment, sodium channels start to form loose clusters at the site, which later become the node of Ranvier. Subsequently, after formation of compact myelin, sodium channels disappear from the membrane underneath the myelin sheath and cluster only at the node. This clustering is promoted by protein interactions between the myelinating cell membrane and the axonal membrane involving cell adhesion molecules like gliomedin, neurofascin and NCAM. K+ channels are less stringently concentrated in the nodal region.
Myelinating cells and diseases
The most frequent disease involving oligodendrocytes is multiple sclerosis. It is caused by a loss of myelin in defined areas of brain and spinal cord and thus leads to an impairment of axonal conductance. Recovery can occur due to re-myelination but often relapses occur which lead to continuous neurodegeneration. The primary cause for the loss of oligodendrocytes is as yet unknown. It is evident that the demyelinated region contains inflammatory cells such as infiltrating lymphocytes and macrophages and activated microglia. These cells might potentiate or even initiate the damage cascade. Other inherited myelin disorders of the central nervous system are Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease and Pelizaeus-Merzbacher-like diseases and other forms of leukodystrophies. Most of the genetically determined pathologies are associated with mutations in myelin proteins or connexins, the molecular entities forming gap junctions. Similarly to the central nervous system mutations in Schwann cell myelin or gap junction proteins lead to neuropathies such as the Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease. This makes it evident that peripheral myelin formation is also essential for the survival of vertebrates.************************************************************************
Growing stem cells faster on seaweed
Alginate forms a kind of supporting skeleton in the cell walls of certain kinds of algae. Fraunhofer scientists use the gel-like mass from Chilean seaweed as the substrate for stem cells. They can flexibly adjust the pore size and elasticity of the alginate, and it transports active ingredients and has better optical characteristics than plastic materials.-For the drug tests of the future, the pharma industry needs large quantities of pluripotent stem cells. These stem cells have the potential to transform themselves into any kind of somatic cell, such as the cells of inner organs. Many thousands of stem cell lines from a huge variety of patients are currently being built up in biobanks, where doctors can access perfect models of the genetic illnesses of these patients. Using these stem cells, doctors and pharmaceutical companies can test new drugs better and more quickly than before.-Scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT in Sulzbach have identified seaweed from Chile as a particularly efficient source of nutrients for the expansion of pluripotent stem cells. Over the past few years, they have developed a controlled and documented production process for alginate, the seaweed's supporting structure. The process encompasses everything from harvesting the seaweed on Chilean beaches and in the seas off Chile, to importing the granulated and dried seaweed, to manufacturing the alginate and using it in cell culture to grow pluripotent stem cells at the institute in Saarland. British pharma companies are currently validating the process in their laboratories. "The first concrete trials with partners from the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) are planned for next year," says Prof. Heiko Zimmermann, Managing Head of Fraunhofer IBMT. "The goal is to demonstrate that we can use the process to produce stable pluripotent stem cells. At the institute, we've already managed to do just that for many individual stem cell lines." The Fraunhofer scientists at Sulzbach developed the production process and the technology platform jointly with their colleagues in Chile and the United Kingdom.
Alginate from two Chilean seaweed types particularly suitable
Two seaweed species that grow on the coast of Chile form the source material: Lessonia trabeculata and Lessonia nigrescens. Supporting structures in the cell walls of the seaweed are made of alginate, which is particularly suitable for stem cell cultivation: it consists of a highly aqueous gel that is more viscous than honey. When cross-linked with calcium or barium, it is both stable and flexible -- like the jello you find in your dessert bowl -- and also permeable for nutrients and important factors. "Cells feel especially at home in elastic 3D environments such as are found inside the body. It's precisely this environment that can be simulated perfectly using alginate," explains Prof. Zimmermann. This is an ideal environment particularly for heart muscle cells, which contract regularly. The scientists flexibly set the elasticity through the mixture of seaweed species and produce the alginate in beads of any size. "After all, different cells need different culture conditions," says Prof. Zimmermann. "We also introduce active ingredients into the alginate and release them in a controlled manner." Examples of such ingredients are substances that transform pluripotent stem cells into certain somatic cells. "In the future," continues Prof. Zimmermann, "the alginate will not only act as a passive substrate, but will also actively influence the growth of the stem cells." The absence of autofluorescence in the elastic biomass is a further advantage and is important for optical analysis techniques. "The stem cells grow better on our alginate -- and particularly well in automated bioreactors. They differentiate better into the desired somatic cells than on the plastic substrates generally used today," says Prof. Zimmermann.--Harvesting the seaweed is subject to rigorous controls: there are special licenses for Chilean fishers, who harvest only the seaweed that is suitable for manufacturing the alginate, and only as much as permits sustainable resource management on the Chilean coast. In a laboratory operated by IBMT and Fraunhofer Chile at UCN University in Coquimbo, the seaweed is individually peeled, shredded, and completely dried. This is all done within 24 hours to prevent the material from becoming contaminated. The seaweed granulate is then exported to Germany, where IBMT scientists separate out the alginate in the institute's clean room. After this process, it is available in liquid form and can be shaped into beads using a strong jet of air. "The beads are rendered more stable in a barium bath, as barium tends to remain in the seaweed mass. The trick is to make the material stable, but not too hard," says Prof. Zimmermann.--The researchers place the protein-coated alginate into a bioreactor, which provides the optimum temperature and CO2 environment and continuously stirs the nutrients and cells. Measuring around 200 micrometers, each individual alginate bead performs the role of a Petri dish. The stem cells grow over the alginate in the containers in three to seven days, propagating as they do so. "Because the alginate volumes in the reactors can be increased slightly, we can grow pluripotent stem cells in greater quantities and in smaller spaces," says Prof. Zimmermann.-Story Source-The above post is reprinted from materials provided by Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft--Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. "Growing stem cells faster on seaweed." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 1 December 2015. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/12/151201094116.htm>.
****************************************************************
Also known as- Algin; Algin Gum
Derived from- Alginic Acid (also known as- Polymannuronic Acid; Norgine)
Description
Alginates are a group of Polysaccharides comprised of salts of Alginic Acid which is a Polysaccharide [F25]of Mannuronic Acid and Guluronic Acid.
Health Benefits of Alginates
Digestive System
Alginates may dilute potential carcinogens in the Intestine (thereby reducing the risk of Cancer): [more info]
Alginates may bind to Bile Acids in the Small Intestine and may enhance their elimination.
Metabolism
Alginates may inhibit the absorption of dietary Cholesterol. references
Skin
Calcium Alginate (applied topically) may alleviate Decubitus Ulcers (bed sores).
Alginates may Counteract these Toxic Substances
Carbohydrates
Alginates may inhibit the absorption of dietary Glucose. references
Minerals- AntiMetal
Alginates may facilitate the excretion of many Detrimental Minerals (toxic heavy metals) by binding to them in the Intestinal Tract and preventing their absorption: references
- Barium references
- Cadmium [more info]
- Lead references
- Radium [more info]
- Strontium (including Radioactive Strontium-90) references
Dietary Sources of Alginates
Algae (Sea Vegetables)
Alginates are present in many types of Brown Algae used as Sea Vegetables, including Bladderwrack, Kelp and Pacific Brown Kelp.
*********************************************************************
Potentially dangerous molecules detected in e-cigarette aerosols
Electronic cigarettes produce highly-reactive free radicals -- molecules associated with cell damage and cancer -- and may pose a health risk to users, according to researchers at Penn State College of Medicine.--The use of e-cigarettes is on the rise. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 20 percent of young adults have tried e-cigarettes, and current smokers and recent former smokers are most likely to have used them.--E-cigarettes deliver nicotine in water vapor instead of by burning tobacco. The battery-operated devices have been marketed as an alternative to traditional cigarettes.--Despite their growing popularity, very little is known about toxic substances produced by e-cigarettes and their health effects.--"There's a perception that e-cigarettes are healthier than regular cigarettes, or at least not as harmful as regular cigarettes," said John P. Richie Jr., professor of public health sciences and pharmacology. "While e-cigarette vapor does not contain many of the toxic substances that are known to be present in cigarette smoke, it's still important for us to figure out and to minimize the potential dangers that are associated with e-cigarettes."--Previous studies have found low levels of aldehydes, chemical compounds that can cause oxidative stress and cell damage, in e-cigarette "smoke." But until now, no one has looked for free radicals, the main source of oxidative stress from cigarette smoke. Highly reactive free radicals are a leading culprit in smoking-related cancer, cardiovascular disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.--Instead of smoke, e-cigarettes produce aerosols, tiny liquid particles suspended in a puff of air. The researchers measured free radicals in e-cigarette aerosols.--They found that e-cigarettes produce high levels of highly reactive free radicals that fall in the range of 1,000- to 100-times less than levels in regular cigarettes.--"This is the first study that demonstrates the fact that we have these highly reactive agents in e-cigarette aerosols," Richie said. Results were published in the journal Chemical Research in Toxicology.--"The levels of radicals that we're seeing are more than what you might get from a heavily air-polluted area but less than what you might find in cigarette smoke," Richie said. The radicals are produced when the device's heating coil heats the nicotine solution to very high temperatures.--Further research is needed to determine the health effects of highly reactive free radicals from e-cigarettes.--"This is the first step," Richie said. "The identification of these radicals in the aerosols means that we can't just say e-cigarettes are safe because they don't contain tobacco. They are potentially harmful. Now we have to find out what the harmful effects are."--Richie is currently conducting studies to carefully measure total numbers of free radicals in e-cigarette aerosols and to identify their chemical structures.--"That will help us interpret the data better to know how dangerous they are," he said.-Story Source-The above post is reprinted from materials provided by Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. The original item was written by Scott Gilbert. -Journal Reference-Reema Goel, Erwann Durand, Neil Trushin, Bogdan Prokopczyk, Jonathan Foulds, Ryan J. Elias, John P. Richie. Highly Reactive Free Radicals in Electronic Cigarette Aerosols. Chemical Research in Toxicology, 2015; 28 (9): 1675 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.5b00220
Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. "Potentially dangerous molecules detected in e-cigarette aerosols." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 2 December 2015. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/12/151202095435.htm>.
*****************************************************************************
E-cigarette vapors, flavorings, trigger lung cell stress
Do electronic cigarettes help people quit smoking? As the debate continues on that point, a new University of Rochester study suggests that e-cigarettes are likely a toxic replacement for tobacco products.---Emissions from e-cigarette aerosols and flavorings damage lung cells by creating harmful free radicals and inflammation in lung tissue, according to the UR study published in the journal PLOS ONE. Irfan Rahman, Ph.D., professor of Environmental Medicine at the UR School of Medicine and Dentistry, led the research, which adds to a growing body of scientific data that points to dangers of e-cigarettes and vaping.--The investigation suggests the harm begins when the e-cigarette's heating element is activated. The heating element is designed to turn a liquid solution (known as an e-liquid or "juice") into an aerosol that mimics cigarette smoke. The inhaled vapors contain heavy metals and other possible carcinogens in the form of nanoparticles[F26] -- tiny particulate matter that can reach farther into lung tissue, cell systems, and blood stream.[F27]--Rahman's study also shows that some flavored e-juices (particularly cinnamon) create more stress and toxicity on lung tissue. Researchers observed in the laboratory that human lung cells exposed to e-cigarette aerosols released various inflammation biomarkers. Mice exposed to e-cigarettes with classic tobacco flavoring also demonstrated signs of pulmonary inflammation.---"Several leading medical groups, organizations, and scientists are concerned about the lack of restrictions and regulations for e-cigarettes," Rahman said. "Our research affirms that e-cigarettes may pose significant health risks and should be investigated further. It seems that every day a new e-cigarette product is launched without knowing the harmful health effects of these products."--Rahman's laboratory also recently reported in the journal Environmental Pollution that toxic metals and oxidants from e-cigarettes raise safety concerns as well as potential pollution hazards from second-hand exposures and disposal of e-cigarette waste. Another recent study connected e-cigarette vapors to a higher risk of respiratory infections in young people.--In a joint statement issued January 8, 2015, the two leading cancer organizations in the United States -- the American Association for Cancer Research and American Society for Clinical Oncology -- said that e-cigarettes should be subject to the same Food and Drug Administration (FDA) restrictions as tobacco until more is known about possible adverse health effects. Insufficient data also exists on the value of the tool for smoking cessation.
The biggest concern is for e-cigarette users under age 18. Health experts believe e-cigarettes entice some young people to start smoking and will make it socially acceptable again. Manufacturers contend it's a safer alternative to cigarettes, and consumers have pushed sales in the U.S. beyond $1 billion.--A trend known as "dripping" allows e-cig users to drip an e-liquid directly onto the cigarette's heating element instead of using a refillable chamber to hold the e-liquids. The smoker inhales the aerosols and gets a stronger hit, while also being able to more easily switch between flavors, brands or nicotine content. The UR study found that dripping e-liquids or e-juices to produce vapors likely generates a larger dose of toxins to the lungs.--Rahman's study notes that manufacturers typically don't disclose all materials and chemicals used to make e-cigarettes and e-juices. Without that information or long-term use studies, consumers have limited information about the potential dangers for human health and the environment, he said.--Story Source-The above post is reprinted from materials provided by University of Rochester Medical Center. Journal Reference-Chad A. Lerner, Isaac K. Sundar, Hongwei Yao, Janice Gerloff, Deborah J. Ossip, Scott McIntosh, Risa Robinson, Irfan Rahman. Vapors Produced by Electronic Cigarettes and E-Juices with Flavorings Induce Toxicity, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammatory Response in Lung Epithelial Cells and in Mouse Lung. PLOS ONE, 2015; 10 (2): e0116732 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0116732 ---University of Rochester Medical Center. "E-cigarette vapors, flavorings, trigger lung cell stress." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 6 February 2015. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150206174840.htm>.
***********************************************************************
Electronic cigarette flavorings alter lung function at the cellular level
Certain flavorings used in electronic cigarette liquid may alter important cellular functions in lung tissue, according to new research presented at the 2015 American Thoracic Society International Conference. These changes in cell viability, cell proliferation, and calcium signaling are flavor-dependent. Coupling these results with chemicals identified in each flavor could prove useful in identifying flavors or chemical constituents that produce adverse effects in users.--"The effects of the various chemical components of e-cigarette vapor on lung tissue are largely unknown," said lead author Temperance Rowell, a graduate student in the Cell Biology and Physiology Department of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. "In our study using human lung epithelial cells, a number of cell viability and toxicity parameters pointed to 5 of 13 flavors tested showing overall adverse effects to cells in a dose-dependent manner."--In the study, cultured human airway epithelial cells were exposed to various doses of the 13 e-cigarette liquid flavors for 30 minutes or 24 hours. During the 30 minute exposure test, the flavors Hot Cinnamon Candies, Banana Pudding (Southern Style), and Menthol Tobacco elicited a dose-dependent calcium response and were toxic to the cells at higher doses.
- During the 24 hour exposure test, these same three favors decreased cell proliferation and cell viability in a dose-dependent manner.--The toxic effects of these flavorings were not seen with either nicotine or the e-liquid vehicle, which consisted of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin. Additional experiments testing the aerosolized product of e-liquid flavors on cultured primary human bronchial epithelial cells are ongoing. Flavors being tested were selected from the findings in this study.--"The specific chemical components underlying the toxic effects of these e-cigarette flavors on cell viability, proliferation, and calcium signaling in airway epithelia are undergoing further study in our lab," said Ms. Rowell. "Given the increasing popularity of flavored e-cigarettes, a better understanding of their ingredients, the potential health risks of these ingredients, and the causes of these risks is urgently needed."--Story Source-The above post is reprinted from materials provided by American Thoracic Society (ATS). --American Thoracic Society (ATS). "Electronic cigarette flavorings alter lung function at the cellular level." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 17 May 2015. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/05/150517143352.htm>.
[F1]Another name for these are quantum dots which are a cluster of nano crystals that form clusters and look like dots due to the volume of crystals
[F2]I always Like how there is always a benefit to a technology that has serious safety issues or serious health issues for the general public and as a general public duped into thinking and accepting this as a good thing
[F3]Back to nano tech and the smallness of the technologyis supposed to convey because it is small has no issues
[F4]Here I thought this is what a normal functioning immune system does allocates problems and sends out signals to correct~ this sounds like something to replace the normal functions of what occurs as part of the human biology
[F5]This is not nano unless the numbers of micron is 1 micron = 1000nanometers another name is a millicron or 1/1000 = nano
[F6]We will now have a robotech to enter into the body which they themselves say they have a hard time navigating which would also imply a inability to retract the technology which also implies it could be lost in the body and embed
[F7]Would mean the investigation should be determining what foods are being consumed and what genetics are in those foods and nano and other adulterants or even biological agents such as glyphosates and other plant fumicides that may penetrate the tissues and not be able to be washed off due to there integration into the tissues of the plants
[F8]Would call this a weaponizing of food~ look at the sophistication of this 31 food borne hazards effect 600million food born illness this is an incredible weapon ~ no one would suspect and everyone would be impacted
[F9]This sound a lot like cancer ~ this is about the same statistic in regard to what happens when treated for cancer you usually lose about 30-40 years of your life
[F10]The question arises then wat if they don’t ~ or what happens when an explosion as a result of a infrared light should cause an unwanted release where do these particles go and how much is buried in healthy tissues and how much is actually retrieved
[F11]Would appear cancer has been able to negate nano tech by binding with the tech and to stop if from running it’s designed program
[F12]In other words cancer cured but the causative factors can return it –just like a cold validating that cancers are curable just with the right conditions can be returned giving one a false impression that you can only go into remission not cure
[F13]A possible method to deal with topical skin cancers and with a green laser which breaks down grapheme may assist with this as well
[F14]Middle East would have a high heat range and flies would seek a cooler environment~ what is seen on this child’s face is a nanobiological agent that is being tested on this culture –in other words they are weaponizing nano tech as a means of exterminating and eliminating all traces of a culture or species
[F15]Interesting in other words nothing there to potentially remove or treat these people and at the accelerating of the effects of nano weaponary there cultural termination is going to be accelerated
[F16]Where it was released
[F17]Seems a tad coincidental ~ and I do not believe in coincidences- that all of a sudden militaries from all over Europe and Russia and possibly china are now voluntarily going there this would be a disaster for any soldier on any front to be exposed to this or they would be eliminated
[F18]Important to sustain healthy myeling throughout the body especially brain and CNS and Vertebrate
[F19]Cytoplasm- Cytoplasm has three basic functions within the cells of living organisms. Made of three basic components, cytoplasm is a medium of suspension for the organelles in the cell. The function of cytoplasm is also a means of transport for genetic material and the products of cellular respiration. As cytoplasm is a fluid, it acts as a buffer, protecting the cell's genetic material and organelles from damage due to movement or collision with other cells.
[F20]Growth Factors area or origin and the different types of growth factors
[F21]These are building blocks of myelin fat and protein or shuar and protein
[F22]Composition of Myelin with fat and protein
[F23]Compostion of Myelin with sugar and protein
[F24]Salt is required to stimulate the Jumping action or the conductivity action between the nodes to transfer signals
[F25]Health Benefits of Polysaccharides (Generally)
Note that each individual type of Polysaccharide possesses specific potential health benefits.
Metabolism
Polysaccharides are claimed to be the body's best source of Carbohydrate-derived Energy:
- Polysaccharides are slowly reverted back to Monosaccharides within the body, eventually forming Glucose which is then oxidized (burned for Energy) at the same rate at which it is produced.
- Polysaccharides are also involved in the production of Energy through the production of Volatile Saturated Fatty Acids (including Acetic Acid, Butyric Acid and Propionic Acid) from fermenting Polysaccharides within the Large Intestine.
These Substances may Enhance the Function of Polysaccharides
Enzymes
Amylase enables Polysaccharides to be split into shorter-chain length units of Dextrin in the mouth before further processing in the Pancreas by Pancreatic Amylase.
Microorganisms
Beneficial Bacteria in the Large Intestine cause the fermentation of Polysaccharides which results in the endogenous manufacture of Volatile Saturated Fatty Acids.
[F26]e-cigarette smoke contains the toxic element chromium, absent from traditional cigarettes, as well as nickel at levels four times higher than normal cigarettes. In addition, several other toxic metals such as lead and zinc were also found in secondhand e-cigarette smoke
Read more at http://scienceblog.com/74132/e-cigarette-smoke-found-contain-toxic-metals/#2kiomd3E94PBQ6th.99[F27]The particulate must be in either micron or nano in size to be able to cause issue ~ and if the element is heating this then as it gets drawn in by the smoker the pollutants then would be more concentrated or more altered due to the chemical mix and the heat
